We expect politicians to be committed to the common good. We also each have a responsibility to be involved in the democratic process. It is important that we vote. It is a duty which springs from the privilege of living in a democratic society. In deciding how we vote the question for each one of us is then: How, in the light of the Gospel, can my vote best serve the common good?

Two former Popes of the Roman Catholic Church are set to become saints at an unprecedented twin canonisation by Pope Francis, that has aroused both joy and controversy in the 1.2 billion member Church.

Pope John XXIII, who reigned from 1958 to 1963 and called the modernising Second Vatican Council, and Pope John Paul II, who reigned for nearly 27 years before his death in 2005, will be declared saints in a ceremony tomorrow.

A tapestry featuring Pope John Paul II is seen in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. Credit: REUTERS/Tony Gentil

While John died half a century ago, critics say the canonisation of John Paul - which sets a record for modern times of only nine years after his death - is too hasty.

Some critics also believe he was slow to grasp the seriousness of the sexual abuse crisis that emerged towards the end of his pontificate.

Cardinal Keith O'Brien, who admitted that his sexual conduct had "fallen beneath the standards" expected of him when he resigned, "will be leaving Scotland for several months for the purpose of spiritual renewal, prayer and penance."

Pope Francis has broken with tradition in an Easter ritual as he washed and kissed the feet of a dozen inmates at a juvenile detention centre on Holy Thursday. Previous Pope's have maintained the traditional foot washing within the Vatican with priests.

Two of the 12 were young women, an even more remarkable choice given that the rite re-enacts Jesus' washing of the feet of his male disciples, the inclusion of women has been banned by some dioceses.